…says Obi/Datti ready for election anyday
MARGARET CHIDERA
Director General of the Obi/Datti Campaign Council, Dr Doyin Okupe, has called on Nigerians to reject any presidential candidate in the 2023 general election that habitually and deceptively threatens rights of the people to hear directly from him with disrespect, dishonour and ignominy.
Okupe in a press briefing on Monday in Abuja, also said, “for the avoidance of doubt, Peter Obi is prepared at any appointed time, to engage the Nigerian people on his mission and vision for the people and country whom he seeks to lead, competently and responsibly.”
Reacting to the failure of the Peoples Democratic, (PDP) Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to appear at the Arise Television Town Hall meeting on sunday, the party campaign DG stressed on the trend of presidential candidates not appearing when called upon, to interface with the people.
He said: “I want to speak on a growing trend of irresponsibility, arrogance and disregard for the electorate, which has now gone beyond coincidence, and is at risk of becoming the norm.
“On Monday 22nd August 2022 the Nigerian Bar Association invited the leading Presidential candidates to address her Annual Bar Conference and the Nigerian people at this epic occasion, the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) Bola Ahmed Tinubu sent his Vice Presidential candidate, Kashim Shettima to represent him.
“Again, on Tuesday and Wednesday September 13th and 14th 2022, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry invited the major Presidential Candidates to interact with them and the Nigerian people, on their economic and general policy initiatives as a prelude to the presidential elections.
“While Peter Obi, Presidential candidate of the LP and other invited candidates appeared in person, the presidential candidate of the APC sent his Vice Presidential candidate, to represent him again.
“Once Again, yesterday, (Sunday) the 6th November 2022, at the First Arise television ‘Town Hall Meeting,’ in contradiction to the understanding reached with the organisers, about allowing only presidential candidates to attend the event, the Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) Ifeanyi Okowa was allowed to represent his Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
“This sparked a protest and rowdy situation by supporters of the other Presidential candidates present.”
Okupe further noted that the Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi and the Presidential Campaign Organisation totally condemns this disregard for the electorate and the people, by the these absentee Presidential Candidates saying decision to present oneself as Presidential candidate, does not start and end with the purchase, submission of forms and certification as a candidate by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“The Labour Party Presidential Campaign Organisation, (LPPCO) finds it totally reprehensible and inconceivable why any Presidential Candidate for these elections should think that they are doing the voting public and indeed all Nigerians favour, by appearing in person, at these scheduled programmes which are a fundamental part of the election season and process.
“These candidates who have assumed the position of emperors and rulers, and not responsible politicians, who are willing to serve and listen to the people, place their position of trust in critical jeopardy by their high horse of arrogance and non accountability.
“It’s an established fact, beyond contradiction that Obi is currently the leading candidate in this presidential race, yet, he does not display the baseless and arrogant disposition of some of his co- candidates,” he stated.
Okupe assured that Obi and his vice, Datti are prepared at all times to engage other candidates, and the Nigerian people, in any duly scheduled debates, Townhall meetings and any other appearances as designated and scheduled adding, “this election season, they will only be prepared to mount the podium, with their peers in this presidential race, and not with any surrogates or diversionary delegated representation.”
